View source for Francis Edwin (Ned) Thornton

{{infobox soldier ww2
| image           =[[File:Thornton_Francis_Edwin.jpg]]
| caption         =
| image2          =
| caption2        =
| dateofbirth	  = 10 Jan 1924
| placeofbirth	  = Westfield, Western Australia
| death	          = 20 Apr 2011
| placeofdeath	  = Kedenup, Western Australia
| enlistmentage	  = 17 years, 8 months
| description	  = 5'6½" (1.69m) tall fresh complexion, blue-brown eyes, brown hair, scars on left knee & right shoulder
| height          = 5'6½" (1.69m)
| weight          = 
| complexion      = fresh
| eyes            = blue-brown
| hair            = brown
| descriptionnote = scars on left knee & right shoulder
| occupation	  = 
| religion	  = Congregational
| address	  = 199 Hay street, East Perth
| relation	  = Wife
| nextofkin       = Mrs Betty Joan Thornton
| regnumber	  = F3850
| enlistmentdate  = 10 Oct 1941
| rank	          = Able Seaman
| unit     	  = HMAS Kanimbla
| 1stembarkationdatefrom= 30 Dec 1942
| 1stembarkationdateto= 18 Jun 1946
| 1sttransportembarked= HMAS Kanimbla
| 1sttransportnote= 
| fate1	          = Returned to Australia
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| medal1	  = 1939-45 Star
| medal2          = Pacific Star
| medal3          = War Medal 1939-45
| medal4          = Australian Service Medal 1939-45
}}


==War Service==
On 10 Oct 1941, as an Ordinary Seaman, he entered HMAS Cerberus V (Fremantle Naval Reserve Training Depot) and following his training, on 24 Mar 1942 he was posted to HMAS Leeuwin, remaining with them unit he was posted to [[HMAS Kanimbla]] on 30 Dec 1942 as an Able Seaman. While on the ''Kanimbla'' he earned his Good Behaviour Badge on 10 Jan 1945, and had passed courses required for promotion to Leading Seaman. 


On 2 Feb 1943 the ''Kanimbla'' arrived in Sydney for conversion to a Landing Ship Infantry. As a member of her crew, Francis participated in landings at Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea, followed by landings at Morotai, Leyte Gulf, and Lingayen (Luzon Island). Following transport tasks in the New Guinea theatre of war ''Kanimbla'' returned to Sydney on 7 Mar 1945. 

The ''Kanimbla'' returned to participate in the invasion of Brunei in June and the landings at Balikpapan in early July 1945. At the completion of hostilities, the Kanimbla was used to repatriate Australian servicemen, and return Dutch civilians to the East Indian islands.


Francis's service appears to have been exclusively on the ''Kanimbla'' apart from periods of leave until he rejoined ''HMAS Leeuwin'' in mid June 1946 to prepare for his demobilisation on 9 Jul 1946.

==Post War==
 
===Notes===
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===External Links===

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thornton , Francis Edwin}}

[[Category:RAN ww2]]
[[Category:Born Australia ww2]]
[[Category:Born WA ww2]]
[[Category:Congregational ww2]]
[[Category:]]
[[Category:HMAS Kanimbla]]
[[Category:Returned to Australia]]
[[Category:Armadale-Kelmscott ww2]]